Great Falls — Local services in Canaan

3 Stars - A Wild and Untamed Beauty Great Falls in Canaan, Connecticut is a place of raw, untamed beauty, but it's not for the faint of heart. The star of the show, the waterfall, is truly magnificent and a sight to behold. However, getting there is an adventure in itself, and not one that everyone can or should undertake. The park itself is completely undeveloped. There are no clear directions, signs, or maps to guide you, so be prepared to navigate at your own risk. The trails are dangerously slippery, especially after any rain, and are steep and challenging. They are definitely not accessible for people with mobility issues, small children, or those who aren't in good physical condition. Only the very young and athletic will likely make it all the way down to the waterfall without a serious struggle. Be prepared to "pack it in, pack it out," as there are no garbage cans on site, and absolutely no bathroom facilities. This is a place where you truly feel like you've stepped into the wilderness. In summary, if you're looking for a challenging hike with a big payoff and don't mind a complete lack of amenities or safety features, Great Falls is an unforgettable experience. But if you're hoping for a leisurely stroll in a well-maintained park, this is not the place for you. Come prepared, be careful, and you'll be rewarded with a...

The Great Falls are very beautiful and a nice place for a hike, but they are not safe for swimming. My brother, Kaelan Paton, 16 drowned there in 2009. (Several others nearly drowned as well.). Pablo Guante, 22, from Brooklyn drowned there in 2019. Another man who was swimming in a pool above the falls drowned when he was sucked into a hidden drainage vent at the bottom of the area. Many others have been seriously injured after slipping on rocks. There is usually no cell service in this area which makes calling for help difficult. It is extremely difficult and dangerous for the Town's volunteer first responders to rescue people here. DON'T SWIM HERE - IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. The section of river below the falls is called the "rattlesnake' and is extremely dangerous (Class 5 whitewater) even when running at low levels. If you want to swim somewhere go to Lakeville Lake in Lakeville, CT, the Falls Village outdoor pool/recreation area (great for kids), Lake Waramaug in Kent, or the town beach...

I'd never been before. It was closed when I went and I wasn't sure if it was just closed to swimming or I could still take a walk. So I parked real quick to run a google search, and while I was parked, a woman came up, took a picture of my license plate, took a picture of me, and was just standing there staring at me. My window was open so I was waiting for her to come talk to me like a person, so I could just ask her if it was open and if it wasn't I could just leave, but she just kept standing in front of my car to prevent me from leaving. Then this family that had clearly had a full day of swimming walks by and she starts screaming at them about how it's closed and it's illegal and she took pictures of everyone's plates and is reporting us to the police. I never even got out of my car. 0/10 didn't even get to see the waterfall and got reported to the police for sitting in my car...